Connect
← Return to Cranberry RCT study
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
@handera
As long promoted Cranberry juice has been associated with reducing UTIs. I had not heard about the association with PSA numbers but makes sense if also helps with UTIs.
When I was being treated at UFHPTI they took me off all my supplements but asked me to drink cranberry juice. They said their research was showing helpful preventing UTIs.
As you know UTIs are not uncommon when getting radiation treatments and/or going through RP.
UFHPTI is big on research and just got a 25 million dollar grant (I am in that research study) on photon and proton radiation treatments of PC. They provided me research on supplements and PC. Several studies showed that supplements help protect prostrate cells from oxidation and damage.
With that study they started following and were concerned with if supplements were protecting normal prostate cells from radiation they would also protect the cancer cells. The main radiation treatments for PC are to damage PC cells as prevents them from reproducing. Normal PC cells can recover from radiation and reproduce (all this per UFHPTI not me as not a medical professional) or reducing damage to them which is the goal of radiation.
One study showed possible relationship to protecting cancer cells and others showed they did not. So UFHPTI aired on and association of protecting cancer cells during treatments and asked me to stop taking any supplements. Funny they gave me a list of those supplements not to take and I was taking them all.
I had to stay off them two weeks prior to radiation, during radiation, and more 3 months after.
Their research mirrors your benefits of cranberry juice. I take the cranberry supplement even today 2.5 years after radiation.
Did you find (I did) the tart taste of the unsweetened one okay? I found it so strong got permission to take the supplemental. Was the type you drank sweetened with non sugar supplement? I like you would rather drink it so if you don't mind would like your feedback on my questions.
Replies to "@handera As long promoted Cranberry juice has been associated with reducing UTIs. I had not heard..."
Connect
@jc76
Regarding your UFHPTI comments, this study makes a similar observation, pointing out the concerning results of some "in vitro" studies:
"Findings from the above in vitro studies suggest that whole cranberry extract or at least 3 key types/categories of components, flavonols, proanthocyanidins or tri-terpenoids, are associated with biological alteration of cell targets and may be protective for PCa."
However, this randomized, double-blind, placebo control trial is much more pertinent to PCa men than "in vitro" studies and indicates:
"The down-regulation of serum PSA may be related to a trend to down-regulation of MSMB which has been reported to be androgen regulated. Unexpectedly, there was enhanced expression of PCA3 in the cranberry arm. The trend to downregulation of MSMB after cranberry supplementation is more reliable than upregulation of PCA3 due to the larger number of successful test results for both time points (19 for MSMB and only 8 PCA3 in the cranberry arm). Interestingly, 6/9 patients with downregulation of MSMB had also down-regulation of serum PSA. Furthermore, Martinez-Pinero et al. showed that urinary PCA3 is not a reliable marker of cancer stage or the response to androgen-deprivation therapy in advanced prostate cancer."
I believe this RCT was performed on men immediately before undergoing a RALP because of a previous study conducted on prostate cancer cells that were "androgen independent".
"Studies on the possible effects of cranberry and its components on prostate cancer were realized only in DU 145 human prostate cancer cells which are androgen independent. Treatment of cranberry proanthocyanidin- enriched fraction inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 (MMP) activity through the induction and/or inhibition of specific temporal MMP regulators. MMP activity is associated with tumor cell invasion and metastasis."
This led to this RCT's interesting conclusion:
"These data suggest that further studies to evaluate cranberry consumption as a prophylactic against the bio-chemical recurrence of prostate cancer in patients after surgery is warranted."
It may be that cranberry consumption could help reduce a RALP man's tendency toward bio-chemical reoccurrence!
Regarding taste, 100% Ocean Spray unsweetened cranberry juice it is very tart (only 60 calories/8 oz, 9 grams of natural sugar and a good source of potassium)...the first couple times takes some getting use to....by day 3 I was looking forward to my 8 ounces of "fine wine"! I sip it like one would sip an excellent single malt scotch 🙂
All the best!